Alerts & Conditions

National Park Service News Release

Release Date: March 27, 2020
Contact: Wallace Keck, Superintendent

City of Rocks National Reserve Is Modifying Operations To Implement Local Health Guidance

[Almo] – City of Rocks National Reserve, in response to guidance from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of March 26, City of Rocks will offer very limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At City of Rocks, the following services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with the state order:

• The visitor center is closed
• Campgrounds are closed
• Overnight parking is prohibited
• Vault toilets are open at the visitor center and Bath Rock parking areas only
• Interpretive programs have been cancelled or postponed through April

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at City of Rocks is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm and social media channels.

Outdoor spaces at City of Rocks remain accessible to immediate local communities and residents in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, which includes Idaho’s statewide stay-home order.

• Park Rangers remain on duty and can be reached by calling numbers posted on all bulletin boards, or at 208-824-5910 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
• Trail heads, parking areas and trails remain open

Nearby residents who choose to visit City of Rocks during this pandemic are encouraged to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

The NPS encourages people to take advantage of the many websites available to explore City of Rocks, including:

• https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm
• https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRocksNPS/
• https://www.instagram.com/CityOfRocksNPS/

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more atwww.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 19, 2020
Contact: Craig Quintana, Public Information Officer, Senior
208-514-2254 [e-mail]


IDAHO STATE PARK VISITOR CENTERS CLOSE TO CURB COVID-19 SPREAD; PARKS REMAIN OPEN

Visitor centers at Idaho State Parks shut down Thursday as a precautionary measure to limit propagation of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) – but the parks will remain open to the public.

Rangers and other staff will be on duty to assist visitors and can be contacted by telephone.

Parks continue to offer day use and most camping options – but hands-on activities and large group events are discontinued. Premium cabins and picnic shelters also have been closed to reduce infection potential.

The visitor centers will stay closed through April, and possibly longer, depending on the progression of the Covid-19 outbreak. Closing the centers, gathering places for groups of people, protects visitors and park employees and follows the guidance of Idaho Gov. Brad Little and public health officials.

At this stressful time, the public is encouraged to visit Idaho’s spacious parks to experience the outdoors and fresh air as an alternative to staying sheltered indoors. Hiking, biking and snow sports provide healthy alternatives that allow for the social distancing (at least six feet of space between individuals) recommended by experts.

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